General Syntax

Instead of -password: Fetch password from the file so it is not visible
in the command line. When <filename> is stdin, the user will be
prompted for the password. [Firebird 2.5]

Database Shutdown

When a database has been shut down, only SYSDBA and the database owner are
able to connect to the database in order to perform administrative tasks.

Options

-at[tach] <seconds>

Used with the -shut option. Waits <seconds> seconds for all
current connections to end. If after <seconds> seconds there are
still connections open, the shutdown will be cancelled and return an
error.

-f[orce] <seconds>

Used with the -shut option. Waits <seconds> seconds for all
connections and transactions to end. After this time, all connections and
transactions are cancelled and the database is shut down. Use with
caution.

-o[nline]

If a -shut operation is pending, it is cancelled. Otherwise, takes a
database back online

-sh[ut]

Shut down database. Must be used together with -attach, -force or -tran

-shut {normal | multi |
single | full}

-online {normal | multi |
single | full}

Firebird 2.0 and later: New shutdown modes:

NORMAL: Database is active and online
MULTI: Only connection from SYSDBA and the Database Owner will be allowed
(compatible mode with Firebird 1.0/1.5)
SINGLE: Only one SYSDBA or Database Owner connection will be allowed
FULL: Exclusive shutdown: Database is completely offline, no connections
will be allowed (it is now possible to access the database file safely on
a file basis, e.g. for backups)

Use -shut to "go down" the scale of shutting down and -online
to "go up" that scale.

-tr[an] <seconds>

Used with the -shut option. Waits <seconds> seconds for all
running transactions to end. If after <seconds> seconds there are
still running transactions, the shutdown will be cancelled.